Bangor Ladies, the ladies section of Bangor Football Club, wrapped up their back to back 5 game intensive pre-season campaign last Wednesday (15th) evening, at Knockbreda Parish F.C. ground, Upper Braniel Road, on a wet, grey overcast evening.
Thankfully, the rain which looked ready to unleash itself didn’t materialise until later that night, although it was a thoroughly miserable and cold evening when the game got underway at 7.15 p.m.
There was a seemingly fitting, humbling and powerful minute’s silence for Katie Hughes who lost her life, just two days earlier. Both teams united in a mark of respect. Bangor Ladies Football Club thoughts are with the family and friends of the young mother of one.
Squad: Bridget Finegan, Paula Dougherty, Leanne McGarry, Rachel Bates, Jackie Price; Christina McNamara, Cathy Duncan ©, Jenny Boyd, Valerie McKibbin; Tina Sharpe, Dee Savage. Sub (all used): Julie Haslam, Christine Morrison, Trish Webb and Petra Armstrong.
The head to head record against Knockbreda suggested a home win. The Seasiders having lost all three encounters last year – 3-2 at Clandeboye Park, a 6-0 thrashng in the Semi Final of the Divisional Cup, which Knockbreda went on to win; and a comprehensive 5-1 beating late in the season.
As usual, the Seasiders started at their own pace, not really pushing Knockbreda but more sparring with them. Recent contrasting performances at Clandeboye Park and Portaferry perhaps playing on the minds of the squad.
But in fairness – the team quickly settled and looked up for this one – the industrious Boyd and Duncan in midfield getting involved early, and the defence fairly comfortable. Last season strike partnership, Sharpe and Savage back together were lively and also started strongly.
Knockbreda took the lead with a penalty, although it was contentious, McGarry unable to do anything when a ball lashed across the penalty box, was adjudged to have struck her upper arm. Given that it was a friendly, it was a pity that the referee gave this in the circumstances, but the response from the visiting Seasiders was immediate.
Bangor settled and didn’t let this decision rattle them – the team responded with some decent stuff, and some good forward momentum. Sharpe had a half chance, as did McNamara. Despite the early set back, of losing a goal the Seasiders gradually got on top of their game.
Savage broke through on the 15-minute mark, with Bangor in the ascendancy, the striker recorded her first strike of the season to equalise. Duncan marshalled the midfield with some authority finding McKibbin and McNamara on the flanks.
A blow on the 20 minute mark – Tina Sharpe went down awkwardly and it was obvious that she was in trouble.
Tina Sharpe withdrawn with suspected knee damage
Memories of an equally painful twist two seasons ago – when the tenacious young forward suffered cruciate ligament damage came to mind. As a precaution – an ambulance was summoned.The forward was taken to Dundonald, x-rayed and released later that evening – hopefully nothing too serious. Everyone at the club, wishes Tina a quick recovery and send their best wishes.
Just after the re-start Bangor got their reward for some good football, this time Lee, on in place up front for Sharpe, battled through and showed good composure to put the Seasiders ahead.
The teenager soon added the third - piledriving her way through the Knockbreda defence and having done the hard work to get behind the defence had to composure to take it around the advancing keeper with one touch and tuck it in with the next. 3-1.
Striker Natasha Lee doubled up against Knockbreda
Armstrong, Web, Haslam and Morrison introduced at half time were up to the pace of the contest and proved they are all in the frame for regular starts. All made solid contributions and were faultless in the second half – Haslam in particular has developed her game over the last three seasons and was impressive.
With the light fading, McNamara also got on the score sheet, her pace was always causing Knockbreda trouble – and any hesitancy at the back and she was on it. Her persistent pressure forced the home team into trouble and facing their own goal and the 2008 Player of the Year got the fourth through sheer determination 4-1.
Knockbreda did get a sniff of getting back into the contest - getting the score back to 4-3, in the extended second half but a fifth final strike by the Seasiders killed their revival off – again Lee, who despite last ditch efforts to halt her, drove through two tackles and squared for Savage to nudge in.
More problems as Manager Craig withdrew Lee who suffered a knock when converting the club’s final chance – her courage keeping her on her feet when scythed down when clean through – but thankfully it won’t rule her out of the Seasiders first league game next week.
The game finished with a comfortable win for the Seasiders – and fully deserved – the club now have to try and take this positive frame into their next game the crucial league opener against Abbey Villa next Tuesday (21st) evening at Clandeboye Park.
“This was just what we needed, after the less than impressive showing down the peninsula…the application from the team was excellent, the injury to Sharpe was a distraction – but once that was dealt with, everyone knuckled down.
“The central partnership and Bates and McGarry looks strong and I hope to be able to keep these two together – they are both Premiership players, and I can see the quality and appreciate the experience they both bring to the side.
Jenny Boyd lifted her game along side Duncan in the second half
“Dougherty always gives it 100% and has settled quickly, while Jackie Price, playing her first game this season for us – showed her quality and her experience. Good to see Jenny Boyd back firing on all cylinders, and more like the player who just steam rolled over Crusaders last season in the clubs final league game.
“Overall as a unit we played well – didn’t let up under pressure and gave a good account of ourselves, I have tried to keep the team focused on performance rather than result – and this one was a good performance which produced a great result.
“Also it was pleasing to get both strikers off and running – Savage has the ability to score goals and gets through a lot of work in a game, while teenager Lee, has proved that she will be a potent offensive threat for the Seasiders this year.
“She has been probably trying too hard, close shaves in the fixture against Crumlin, where the youngster hit the woodwork twice. Then an outstanding contribution at Clandeboye Road against Loughgall wasn’t rewarded – but she has got a couple in the onion bag at last – so that’s important for her confidence.”
The result, although tainted with the injury to Sharpe, is encouraging, and just the tonic Bangor Ladies needed following their disappointing performance down the Peninsula against Portaferry.
Full training this Sunday (19th) 2 p.m. 3.45 p.m. as the club look forward to the NIWFA League Championship getting underway – the first game a home tie against neighbours Abbey Villa Ladies at Clandeboye Park on Tuesday evening.
Then the side are away the following Thursday against Killyleagh before returning to Clandeboye Park to take on Ballyvange on Tuesday 5th May. All are scheduled for 7.30 kick offs.
Dee Savage also netted a double in the impressive away win
Latest on Tina Sharpe, taken to The Ulster Hospital,X-rayed and released later that evening. Is still experiencing considerable pain, and planning to see a specialist soon, to have a MRI scan on her knee to access the damage. Hopefully it wont be as bad as first feared.
Last Edited on 17-Apr-2009 12:18 AM
